Wilderness Permit Index

Desolation Wilderness Permits

The Desolation Wilderness is by far the most popular destination for backpackers in the Echo Summit area, which
is why the wilderness has among the strictest permit regulations in California.
In order to protect its unique beauty and wilderness character, human access is limited and
certain activities are restricted in the Desolation.

We have all the information you need
to plan your trip and avoid any surprises.

Desolation Wilderness Permit Information

Who Needs a Permit?

Any person entering the Desolation Wilderness at any time of year needs a permit, even day hikers. Day hikers simply
pick up a permit at a ranger station or at most of the popular trailheads at self-serve kiosks. There are no charges nor quotas for day visitors, although a couple of trailheads charge $5 for day parking (but not for overnight wilderness permit holders).
Anyone staying overnight in Desolation Wilderness needs a Wilderness Permit which must be obtained on-line or picked up at a ranger
station before your trip.

Permit Reservations

Quotas limit the number of overnight visitors who may enter each day to all of the 45 zones. Quotas are in effect Friday before Memorial Day weekend
through September 30. Permits are still required at other times of the year.

Seventy percent of all overnight permits are available by a computerized reservation system at Reservations.gov - Desolation Wilderness Permits.
Or you can call (877) 444-6777. You can make your reservation up to 6 months in advance. Then within 14 days of your trip, log back onto your account at Recreation.gov
and print your permit. Or you may take your reservation to a Forest Service permit office during business hours.
Permits reservations are no longer made by phone or fax and they are not mailed.

The other 30 percent of the permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of entry.
Some destinations (zones) have very small daily quotas, so check the table below to see if your group
exceeds the entry quota for that zone. Maximum group size is 12.

Fees

Permit Reservation Fees: $5.00 per party/per permit (non-refundable). Permit fees are paid at time of reservation.
Plan carefully before making you reservation as all fees are non-refundable.
Overnight Wilderness Permit Fee: $5.00 per person for one night, $10.00 per person for two or more nights up to 14 days (non-refundable). The cost of a single permit will not exceed $100.00. Children 12 and under are free. Golden passes do not apply to personal use permits.
Pre-Paid Fee Card: You can pre-pay your permit fees by purchasing this card for $20.00. The card covers only the overnight permit fee and is valid for one year from date of purchase. You must still obtain a permit in person, subject to quota limits.
Permit Changes: $5 feet to change date, zone, or number of people. No fee to cancel.

Desolation Wilderness Regulations

Pets are allowed. Dogs must be on leash or under direct voice control.

Livestock is limited to 2 animals per person, to a maximum of 12 animals per group.

You must enter on the date specified on your permit and spend your first night in the zone you have chosen. After that
you are free to move to any other zone.

The group leader must sign and carry the wilderness permit.

If your trip includes parking at Pyramid Creek (aka Twin Bridges or Horsetail Falls) or Eagle Falls,
you will need to print your parking pass (part of your permit) to display on your vehicle's dash at the trailhead.

Desolation Wilderness Zones

Rather than trailhead quotas, Desolation Wilderness uses zones.
Permits are issued based on the zone where you will
spend your first night. Generally the zone numbers begin in the north and work their way south.
Hint: Use the Find feature of your computer to locate the destination you want.

Desolation Wilderness Zone Quotas

Zone

Total Daily Entry Quota

Number that Can Be Reserved

Popular Destinations in This Zone

When in doubt, confirm your destination with the Forest Service to be sure of the correct zone.

Discover Echo Summit

The map displayed above is for illustrative purposes only. Discover Echo Summit website makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of any of its maps. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or for changes that may have occurred since publication. Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that may have been made. Check with rangers about the suitability of conditions before setting out on any hike or other forest activity. The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.